TICK-TOCK IHSAA, IGHSAU to implement basketball shot clock in 2022-2023

For the entirety of its history, Iowa high school basketball was bound by time, but not by time of possession. This has led to several teams taking advantage of their time handling the basketball, with final scores reminiscent of a high scoring football contest.

In an August 10 release by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, both the IHSAA and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association’s joint committee unanimously voted to adopt a 35-second shot clock for varsity basketball, beginning in the 2022-23 season.

The IHSAA’s Board of Control decided on the measures through its annual summer meetings, which took place from August 5 to August 7 in Boone.

The shot clock would be required of participating members schools, and the use of the shot clock in sub-varsity competition will be allowed, but not required. However, there will be no experimental exceptions during the 2021-22 academic year.

To encourage standardization among states, 35 seconds was the timing provided by NFHS approval. Further shot clock information and rule implementation will be provided by IHSAA and IGHSAU as it becomes available ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Other board approvals involved the creation of individual tournaments in state qualifying and state bowling competitions, while track & field season can now begin on Feb. 21. The joint track and field advisory committee recommended the latter move, to allow more practice time ahead of spring competition.

The original first practice date allowed for track & field was Feb. 28. The first date of competition is still scheduled for Monday, March 7.